- slower pace of interaction, and breaks are acceptable. food is an activity for downtime in conversation and people aren't weird about it. i have more time to put my thoughts together while they eat.

- when with multiple people, i get more chances and opportunities to talk. if i'm really into a topic, i can engage lots of people at once and i can dominate the convo without it being so much of an imposition

- anthropology/sociology thing that ppl are comfy and let their guard down when eating - kinda this inherently trust building ritual, really cute

i think the reason i have been so emotionally impressed by this is because previously, my family and friends got really weird with me not eating. probably because they knew me pre-eating disorder, or at least were around when it arose.

super judgemental and worried about me the entire time, blegh. it's nice to be around ppl that can just be like "oh that's just what she's like" and move on.

of course, there are still lots of drawbacks: - it's still food lol, can be really gross to watch and smell and be around. especially if its meat.